Parade-simulating toy



March 5, 1929. L. MARX PARADE SIMULATING TOY Filed March 2, 1928 INVENTOR Louis Marx.

Y 4 Y% m ATTO EY latontecl Mar. 5, 1929.

' infer-e12 f LOUIS MARX, or nnw Yoninn. v.

- rsnnnnsnanns'rms m;

Apglication filed 2, 1928. Serial No. 258,478.

This. invention relates to atoy and relates more nnticularly to a mechanically operated toy designed to representthe movement of objects e-rence to the provision of amechanically operated toy constructed to simulate e2 tended line of movement of troops in'at very realisticmanner. I v

The prime objectoithe invention centers about the provision of a mechanically operated toy constructed and designed to represent the march or movement of an elongated line of objects or figures, the simulated objects or figuresbeing caused to move in an elongated loop orbit in a manner so as to at-' tractively create theimpr-ession oi the lifelike or natural movement of the objects sninulated or represented.

7 Other prune objectsofthe inventionrelate to the provision'of a mechan cally operated toy oi the character referred to embodying a construction in which the operatingmechanism for the moving figures is substantially completely concealed from view of the observer; the further provision ot er toy constructed to simulate a substantiallylong line ofmovcment of figures arranged in mass formation in which the toy figures are operated from a single motive source preferably torming part-oi the toy and also cone aled'trom View the still further provisi p or .artoy t this character in WlllCll the means tor etliecting the propulsion of the toy figures in theirorbit is not only concealed from. view but protcctlvely housed or encased by thesupportmg troy parts; and the still -further provisionot a toy constructed to simulatea parading or like action which is designed for simple operation and long or durable use. v

To the accomplishment of the foregoing an d such other objects as Will herein after appear, my invention'consists in the elements and their relation one to tl'ie othor. as hereinutter-more particulznlydescribed and sought to be defined in the claims reference being had to the accompanying drawings which scale. v p c I I Referring nowmore in detail to the draw in mass iormatiom and has special reii.

struction on a somewhat further enlarged ings which show one of the embodiments of my present invention depicting; themovement of a long line of marching troops; the invention shown to comprise an elongated plattorm generally designated asl having its opposite sides designed or adaptedtor the movemerit of the troop formation in opposite di" recti'ons, a plurality of toy figures combinedly,

designatedasF grouped together to produce mass formation, thesald figures, in the em bodiment of the invention shown, represent mg a line of troops on parade. lhe figures F are arranged on the platformtor movement thereon 1n an elongated loop-shapedorbit, a

motor generally designated as M forming part oi the toy,,etlect1n the propulsion of said figures F 1n said orbit. I I e 'lhe platfornrl maybe madetosimulate :1

parading ground or a city thoroughfare, the sa d platiorm compr sing an inner section 10 and an outer section 11 surrounding] the inner section both being preferably made of sheet metal shapedto provide a support for the toy T parts, the outer section ll being provided at its opposite sideswitha depending or skirt portion 11 torraisedly supportingthe plat term and for concealing the operating mechnism which ls'arranged beneath said platform, as will befdescribed hereinaiteim The c inner and outer sections 10 and 11 of, said platform P are spaced from each other to provide or delinea continuOusslotlZ in the form of an extendedloop running lengthwise oi'the platform, and the saidloopslot provides the loop-shaped path or orbit forthe movement of the figures F.

"the platform P further includes at least one and preferablytwo terminal structures or housings l3 and l l respectively Which are arranged to overlie the ends of the loop orbitor slot 12, these terminal structures or hour being; designed and arr anged so that the i urcs Finay be mad c to move into andap ear tocomefrom the terminal structures, thus W breaking or relievin rithe eifectoi" continuity ofthe endless line of movement. Theterminal housings 13 and 14 are also preferably made of sheet material, having their side wvalls afixed marginally as at lfiand 16 to the inturned orbeac ed ed 17' of the platform skirt portions 11", said housings further includingmedialsections 13',aiid lrespec-v tively, wh ch are fixed to the inner section 10.

of the platform to aid in supporting the latter on the outer section 11 of the platform. Other means for supporting the platform section 10 on the outer section 11 may comprise a. plurality of braces l7, 17 arranged beneath the platform P and secured to the sections thereof by the mating tongue and slots collectively designated as 18.

For ornamcnting the platformto aid in more realistically representing a. parade ground or city thoroughfare and for supplementing the supporting of the inner section on the outer section of the platform, there is provided a plurality of archwaystructures, 19, 19 arranged intermediate the terminal housings 18 and 14, each of said archway structures including outer posts 19, 19 fixed to the outer plat-form section 11, and an inner post 19", 19" fixed to the inner platform section 10. Preferably also. the platform is provided with a plurality of fixed figures such as an equestrian statue 20 a gun carriage 21 and a representation of a grandstand 22. all of which figures may be made of sheet material suitably shaped and ornamented to harmonize with the scene depicted.v

The motor mechanism M for operating the figures F comprises an endless cable 28 arranged beneath the 'jlatiorm P and concealed thereby, said cable being trained over a plurality of sheaves or pulleys 2%: and 25, the pulley 24 being journaled in a shaft 26 supported by the platform section 10., and the pulley being fixed to a shaft 27 extending up wardly into the terminal housing 14. The sheaves or pulleys 24 and 25 are also arranged beneath and concealed by the platform P, motion being imparted thereto'by means of a motor housed in the top casing section 14 of the terminal structure I l, which motor is preferably of any conventional spring type (not shown) provided with a winding key 28 and having gearing meshing with a drive gear 29 fixed tolthe shaft 27.-

The figures F, grouped in close formation to depict the extended line of troop movement shown, are separately connected to the endless cable 23 to be propelled by the movement of said cable by means of devices 30. 3O fixed at one end as at 31 to spaced parts of said ca ble, as cli'rarlyshown in Figs. 2 to ll of the drawings, and fixed at the other end to the figures i said devices 80 extending upwardly through the endless loop slot 12. The slot 2:2 and the connectii devices cooperate to guide the mo ement of the figures F i constrained and definite orbit, the provision of the endless slot permitting said figures F be connected to a substantially fully consealed motor mechanism.

In the preferred construction each of the connecting devices 30 is designed so to connect the figures to the'cable in anianner to prevent accidental'removal or" the figures from the platform and so as to cause the cable to impart a translational movement only to the figures. To accomplish this, each of the connecting devices is provided with a bottom portion 30 folded to grip the cable 23 and with a vertical upwardly extending portion which loosely extends through a part of the figure and is held thereon by bending parts or the device 30 in opposite directions, as shown at 30 By means of this construction, the device 30 may move ascendingly or descendingly relative to the figure so that the figure may always rest upon the platform and be given only a translational movement thereon this facilitating not only the movement or" the figures. but the non-binding movement of the motor elements connected thereto. It will be further seen that with this construe tion a figure may be readily removed and re placed by another whenever desired, this being accomplished by merely upturning the top tongue portions 30 and removing the figure from the connecting device for replacement by another.

Each of the figures F is arranged for movement directly over and in registry with the orbital slot 12, and each "of said figures pref erably spans the inner and outer sections 10 and 11 ot'the platform. By means of this arrangement, the figures F are capable of movement in the loop orbit 12 Witl the least possi ble derangement; and these figures as well as the platform P, may further be constructed so that the figures are guided for movement in the orbitagainst lateral CllSPltICEDlODt.

This I accomplish by raising parts of the platform on opposite sides of the slot to 'pro vide a guide means and by suitably constriiicting, the figures so as to be guided against lateral displacementby such means. More specifically this guide means consists of the raised portions 32. 32 on opposite sides of the slot 12 extending substantially die length of the platform but terminating short of the end sections of the loop slot 12. as most clearly shown in Fig. 3 ol the drawings, the elimination Ofthese raised portions at the ends of the loop movement being prei errcd to permit ease of movement of the figures i in round ing the circular portions of the loop4as clearly shown in Fig. of the drawings. Each of the figures ll is provided with means which are guided by theraised platform portions 32, such means differing with the dc ign oi the figures. Some of the figures l niayronr prise simulated vehicles such as 53. 33. and other of the li ures may comprise simulated soldiers 34l, 3% on foo-tor horseback. sue-r these figures preferably made of sheet nun terial; and in the vehicle figures the simulated Wheels may con prise the means which is guided by the raised platform portions, as shown in 4C of the drawings, while in the soldier figures the platform section 34: there of may comprise the means which is correspondinglyguided by, the raised platform .in connection with Fig. 1 ofthe drawi sections, as clearly shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

With this construction'it will be seen that upon enerpization of the motor M by means of the windingelement 28, all of the figures F may beset in motion to represent a long line of a parade, this being accomplished by the endless cable neatly concealed bythe platform P, the moving figures being connected to such cfmcealed cable in a manner to efi ect the uidinc propulsion of said figures in a fixed orbit. It will be further seen that allof the moving elements are compactly organized, particularly for a toy of comparatively large di1nensions, and all of the moving figures are operated from single energy source also conc'ealed in a terminal structure or housing of the toy. It will be further seen. particularly that the invention permits a highly attract. and amusing simulation of a movement of a long; line of action such as a body of troops.

While I have shown and described my invention in the preferred form, it will be apparent that many changes and modifications .maybe made in the structure disclosed. Without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a to of the class described an elongated platform compriing an inner section and an outer section surrounding the inner section, said sections being spaced apartto provide therebetween a continuousslot in the form of an estended loop running lengthwise of the platform, aplurality of toy figures grouped together in-a mass formation and movable on said platform in a continuous path or orbit defined by said loop, said figures being movable over and in registry With said slot and spanning the said inner and outer sections; and mechanism for eifecting the propulsion of the toy figures in said loop path or orbit, said mechanism. including an endless cable supported below said platform and concealed thereby, means extending through said loop'slot connecting the figures to said cable, and means for moving said cable. p

2. In a toy of the class described, an elongated platform comprising an inner section, and an outer section surrounding the inner sectioi'i. said sections being; spaced apart to.

prrwidc therebetween u cont iuous slot in the form of an extended loop"running len gtlr wise of the platform, a plurality or separate toy figures grouped together in a long line and in mass formation and movable on said platform in a continuous path or orbit defined by said loop, said figuresbeing movable over and in registry with said slot and spanning the said inner and outer sections; and mechanism for effecting the propulsion of the toy figures in said loop path or orbit, said mechanism including an endless cable supported below said platform and concealed lating parade, an elongated platform comprising an inner sectionand anouter section surroundingthe inner section, sa d sectrons being spaced apart to provide there- .between a continuous slot in the form of an extended loop runninglengthwise of the platform, a plurality of toy figuressimulating an extended line ol.,troop movement, said toy figures being grouped together in mass formation andniovable on said platform in a eontinuous path ordorbit defined by said loop,

said figures being movable over. and in regis try with said slot and spanning the said inner and outer sections; and mechanism for effecting the propulsion of the toy figures in said 7 loop path or orbit, said mechanism including an endless cable supported below said platform and concealed thereby, means extending through said loop slot connectmg the figures tov said cable, and means for moving said cable.

In a toy of the class described for S1IIl11- .latingfa big parade, an elongated platform coi'nprising an innersection and an outer sectron surrounding the nnersect o'n, said sectionsbeing spaced apart to prov de therebetween a continuous slot in the form ofan. eX-

tended loop running lengthwise of the platform, a plurality of toy figures simulating an extended line of troop movei'nent, said figures being groupedtogether in mass formation and movable on said platform in continuous path. or orbit defined by said loop; and mechanism for effecting the propulsion of the toy figures in said loop pat-hororbit, said mechanism,includingan endless cable supported below said platform and concealed thereby, means extending through said loop slot connecting the figures to said cable, and means for moving said cable. I

5. In a toy of the class described, an elon gated platform comprising an inner section and an outer section surrounding the inner ill) section, said sections being spaced apart to provide therebetween a continuous slot in the form of an extended. loop running lengthwise of the platform, a plurality of'toy figures n'iovable on. said plat-form in a continuous path or orbit defined by said loop,

said figures beingmovable over and inregistry with said slot, portions of said platform adjacent said slot embodying a means vfor guiding the movement of said figures against lateral displacement, and mechanism for of footing the propulsion of the toy figures in said loop path or orbit, sa d mechanism including an endless cable supported below said platform and concealed thereby, means extending throughsaid loop slot connecting .the figures to sa d cable, and means for moving said cable.

6. In a toy of the class described, an elongated platform comprising an inner section and an outer section surrounding the inner section, said sections being spaced apart to provide therebetween a continuous slot in the form of an extended loop running lengthwise of the platform, a plurality of toy figures grouped together in an extended line in mass formation and movable on said platform in a continuous path or orbit defined by said loop, a terminal structure at at least one end of said platform, said figures being movable over and in registry with said slot, and mechanisinfor effecting the propulsion of the toy figures in said loop path or orbit, said mechanism including an endless cable supported below said platform and concealed thereby, means extending through said loop slo-t conne'c'ting the toy figures to said cable, a shaft supported at each end of the platform, a pulley on each shaft arranged beneath the platform, the said cable being trained over said pulleys, and a motor supported in a terminal structure and operatively connected to one of said shafts.

7. In a toy of the class described simulating a big parade, an elongated platform comprising an inner section and an outer section surrounding the inner section, said sections being spaced apart to provide therebetween acontinuous slot in the form of an extended loop running lengthwise of the piatfo'rin, a plurality of toy figures simulating an extend.- ed line of troop movement, said toy figures being grouped together in mass formation and movable on said platform in a continuous path or orbit defined by said loop, a terminal structure at at least one end of said platform, said figures being movable over and in registry with said slotand spanning the said nner and outer sections, and mechanism for etlectingthe propulsion of the toy figures in said loop path or orbit, said mechanism including an endless cable supported below said platform and concealed thereby, means extending through said loop slot connecting the toy figures to said cable, a shaft supported at each end otthe platform, a pulley on each shaft arranged beneath the platform, the said cable being trained over said pulleys, and a motor supported in a terminal structure and operatively connected to one of said shafts,

,8. In a toyof the class described, an elongated platform comprising an inner section and an outer section surrounding the inner section, said sections being spaced apart to provide therebetween a continuous slot in the form of an extended loop running lengthwise of the platform, a plurality of toy figures grouped together in a mass formation and movable on said platform in a continuous path or orbit defined by said loop, said figures being movable over and in registry with said slot and spanning the said inner and outer sections; and mechanism for ell'ecting the propulsion of the toy figures in said loop path or orbit, said mechanism including an endless cable supported below said platform and -concealed thereby, devices extending upwardly through saidloop slot loosely connecting the figures to said cable, and means for moving said cable, parts of said platform on opposite sides of said slot being raised to provide a guide means for the nioveinentof said figures.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 28th day of February, A. D. 1928.

LOUIS MARX. 

